Exploring
The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer—it’s road trip season. And on road trips, you’ve got to eat. We try to find local restaurants along our route so we can enjoy something a little different and unique to the area. When we can’t, we look for places where we can sit outdoors. Needless to say, Sonic Drivein is one of our favorite stops. The little one loves hot dogs, and I’m more of a breakfast toaster fan myself. I also appreciate not having to put on shoes just to grab lunch. What are your go-to fast food spots for a quick stop?
"If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs." Nicolette Sowder We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments. If you have a favorite quote about nature, drop it in the comments as well.
Today’s post is simple. We simply want to encourage you and your family to get outdoors and explore the world around you. Go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride; anything that you and your family enjoy. Tag us in a post and let us know what your family enjoys doing outdoors.
Barefoot in a museum? Why not? Many museums, especially local ones, do not have policies requiring footwear (and there are no federal or state laws that require it either). I personally enjoy local museums the most—the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to spend extra time explaining and sharing insights about the exhibits. We come across many on our road trips, and as time allows, we try to visit as many as possible. It’s refreshing that they focus more on the historical and cultural value you can learn from their museum than on what’s on your feet. Being comfortable and grounded allows me to focus on the artifacts and displays and truly take in all there is to learn. There’s nothing better than discovering a unique local museum as we explore the country.
We encourage you to explore the great outdoors with your children, family and friends. Studies indicate children eight years and older spend more than 1300 hours annually in front of computers, mobile devices and televisions combined. The Bare Soles Explorers’ strives to encourage children to go outdoors, disconnect and immerse themselves in adventure. Engaging in various activities, such as playing at the park, hiking in the woods, visiting a museum, exploring a historical landmark, camping at a national park, or constructing a stick fort encourages physical, social, and behavioral well-being, and can improve a child’s academic performance. Become a Bare Soles Explorer today by unplugging from technology and exploring a destination close to home or taking an overnight road trip. Connect with our community #baresolesexplorers and share your adventures with us on social media when your exploration is done. Tag us @baresolesexplorers and we’ll repost your adventure. Build memories that will last a lifetime. Why @baresolesexplorers? Because kids love to be barefoot. We aim to empower children to embrace their adventurous nature, engage their senses, and discover creative experiences in the world around them. Furthermore, research indicates that going barefoot has health benefits for both children and adults, including stress reduction, physical strengthening, and enhanced learning abilities. While being barefoot is not a requirement to join our community, a passion for adventure and the creation of cherished family memories are all that’s needed. Will you join us? Invite your family and friends to follow us, share your adventures with #baresolesexplorers and tag @baresolesexplorers to have your adventures reposted in our social community. #baresolesexplorers #explorethegreatoutdoors #gobarefoot #activekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #optoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #unplug
You may not believe in ghosts, but there is nothing better than a good ghost story. Some of the best were written by Kathryn Tucker Windham, an Alabama native who was a journalist, author, folklorist, and storyteller. Stories like “The Face in the Courthouse Window” are immortalized in 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey, a collection of Southern ghost stories rooted in legend, historical background, and local folklore. We were near the Pickens County Courthouse and decided to stop by to see the face for ourselves. Maybe you can see it in the window, too. Windham’s career expanded beyond writing; she was also a featured storyteller at events nationwide. Through her work, she preserved hundreds of Southern legends that might otherwise have faded with older generations. What folklore or legends exist in your region of the country?
Our mission was to walk the decks of the U.S. Montgomery, a 1925 steam-powered, sternwheel-propelled snagboat operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Now dry-docked as a museum ship outside the Tom Bevill Visitor Center and Museum on the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway, she is one of only two surviving snagboats in the United States. What is a snagboat? These vessels were built with massive forward booms, heavy grapples, wide hulls, and shallow drafts — all designed to rip submerged trees, roots, and debris from navigable waterways. Without their work, river travel and commerce would have been far more dangerous and unpredictable. Unfortunately, due to maintenance, visitors can no longer board the ship. Still, you can stand alongside her massive hull and peer over at her towering boiler and enormous forward boom. The sheer size of the vessel is difficult to comprehend. We enjoyed standing at her side. Hopefully, one day this National Historic Landmark will be restored, and we will once again be able to walk her wooden decks and admire her mighty steam engine.
If your family is hesitant about going barefoot around others, start by going barefoot at home. Being shoeless at home provides many of the same physical and mental benefits as going barefoot outdoors—without the curious stares or unwanted conversations. The next time you tackle a project like raking the yard or repairing a deck, shed your shoes and enjoy the feel of the ground beneath your feet. Even when you’re simply relaxing indoors, allow your feet to breathe and settle into their natural shape. Scientific studies conducted over the past few years suggest that even a few hours of barefoot grounding can have a significant impact on overall health. So if your family isn’t already accustomed to going barefoot, try relaxing at home without shoes and see how it feels.
"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity." Kay Redfield Jamison We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments. If you have a favorite quote about nature, drop it in the comments as well.
Children and young adults benefit from going barefoot because their feet and nervous systems are still developing. Younger kids can often walk comfortably on gravel or other natural surfaces, while many adults find it much more difficult—highlighting how strength, flexibility, and sensory awareness can fade over time. Barefoot movement strengthens foot muscles, supports healthy arches, improves balance and coordination, and helps the body adapt to different textures. Going barefoot helps them move naturally and confidently, laying a foundation for lifelong movement health—benefits that become much harder to rebuild later in adulthood. Do your children and young adults go barefoot?
We encourage you to explore the great outdoors with your children, family and friends. Studies indicate children eight years and older spend more than 1300 hours annually in front of computers, mobile devices and televisions combined. The Bare Soles Explorers’ strives to encourage children to go outdoors, disconnect and immerse themselves in adventure. Engaging in various activities, such as playing at the park, hiking in the woods, visiting a museum, exploring a historical landmark, camping at a national park, or constructing a stick fort encourages physical, social, and behavioral well-being, and can improve a child’s academic performance. Become a Bare Soles Explorer today by unplugging from technology and exploring a destination close to home or taking an overnight road trip. Connect with our community #baresolesexplorers and share your adventures with us on social media when your exploration is done. Tag us @baresolesexplorers and we’ll repost your adventure. Build memories that will last a lifetime. Why @baresolesexplorers? Because kids love to be barefoot. We aim to empower children to embrace their adventurous nature, engage their senses, and discover creative experiences in the world around them. Furthermore, research indicates that going barefoot has health benefits for both children and adults, including stress reduction, physical strengthening, and enhanced learning abilities. While being barefoot is not a requirement to join our community, a passion for adventure and the creation of cherished family memories are all that’s needed. Will you join us? Invite your family and friends to follow us, share your adventures with #baresolesexplorers and tag @baresolesexplorers to have your adventures reposted in our social community. #baresolesexplorers #explorethegreatoutdoors #gobarefoot #activekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #optoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #unplug
WHY BAREFOOT? Studies from accredited institutions have shown that being barefoot, in simple terms, makes both kids and adults happier and healthier. Since both outdoor learning and going barefoot offer positive benefits for children as well as adults, we believe they fit together naturally. We believe knowledge is better retained when we enjoy the experience—so why not free our feet and learn at the same time? On our website, you can learn more about the Bare Soles Explorers’ mission, discover fun activities for your adventures, and share your experiences with us. Will you join us? Invite your family and friends to follow us, share your adventures with #baresolesexplorers and tag @baresolesexplorers to have your adventures reposted in our social community. #baresolesexplorers #explorethegreatoutdoors #gobarefoot #activekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #optoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #unplug
We encourage everyone to try going barefoot as a form of natural movement and exercise - whether around the house, during walking sessions, when hiking or even at the gym - because it supports overall foot and body health. Research and clinical observation show that barefoot movement activates the small muscles of the feet and lower legs, helping build strength, balance, stability, and proprioception while promoting a more natural gait. For many people, gradually spending time barefoot can improve toe splay, ankle mobility, and overall movement awareness, which may translate into better posture and confidence in everyday activities. Going barefoot should be practiced in safe environments and built up gradually. As a small added benefit, some people also enjoy the calming sensation of grounding through direct contact with the earth. How often do you go barefoot?
On a road trip a few weeks ago, we visited the Aliceville Museum. Located in downtown Aliceville, Alabama, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s history, particularly its role during World War II. The exhibits include a section dedicated to Camp Aliceville, a German POW camp that operated from 1942 to 1945, as well as displays highlighting local history. The collection features uniforms, letters, and handcrafted objects made by the POWs, along with musical instruments, artwork, and pottery. A video presentation with interviews from former POWs and local civilians brought the artifacts to life in a powerful way. We were surprised to learn that a World War II POW camp once existed in Alabama. It’s amazing to discover such unique history in places you might not expect. If you’re ever in Pickens County, this museum is definitely worth a visit.
Wild schooling invites families to intentionally create space for curiosity rather than directing every experience. By choosing regular, unhurried time outdoors, you encourage your children to notice patterns, ask questions, and follow their interests naturally. Curiosity can be nurtured by wondering aloud together and exploring possibilities instead of rushing to provide answers. Allow your children to lead the pace and direction of exploration, helping them build confidence in their own learning instincts. When you place greater value on experiences than outcomes, the focus gently shifts from achievement to discovery. In these shared moments of play, observation, and connection with nature, meaningful learning is supported as it grows quietly and naturally. Do you practice wild schooling with your family?
Walking, especially when it starts as a family activity, is important because it encourages regular movement in a simple and enjoyable way. Walking helps improve heart health, strengthens muscles and bones, and supports a healthy weight without putting too much strain on the body. It can also boost mood, reduce stress, and increase energy levels, making it beneficial for both physical and mental health. Because walking is easy to fit into daily routines, it helps people stay consistent with exercise and build long-term healthy habits. Over time, regular walking can lower the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being, making it an effective and accessible way to stay healthy. And you can even go barefoot if you want. How often does your family take walks?
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments. If you have a favorite quote about nature, drop it in the comments as well.
Snails may be tiny and slow, but they quietly play a big role in keeping ecosystems healthy. They recycle nutrients, enrich the soil, and become food for other animals, even though they often go unnoticed. In life, small things work the same way—tiny habits, kind words, or brief moments can shape outcomes more than we expect. A single encouraging sentence can change someone’s day, just like a small action can set off a chain of events. We often chase big achievements and overlook the little details that support them. Yet without those small pieces, nothing larger could truly function. Snails remind us that importance isn’t measured by size or speed, but by impact.
Why is playground play time so important for a child’s development? When children climb, swing, run, and balance, they’re not just having fun—they’re building strength, coordination, and motor skills that support healthy physical growth. Just as importantly, playgrounds support brain development by encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making as kids figure out how to navigate space, take turns, or invent games. Socially and emotionally, playtime helps children learn cooperation, communication, and self-regulation while boosting confidence and resilience through small, manageable challenges. Outdoor play also reduces stress and improves focus by giving children a break from structured environments and screens. In these simple, joyful moments, playgrounds become powerful spaces where a child’s body, mind, and sense of self grow together. When was the last time you and your kids were at the playground?
It has been cold much of January, really limiting our outdoors exploration time. Thankfully the weather is changing, spring is coming, and warmer days are ahead of us. This past weekend, the sun was out and the sky was cloudless. It felt great to go on a short hike and soak up some vitamin D. Looking forward to these warmer days with more sunshine. What are you looking forward to doing this spring?